ITMR
does not necessarily agree or disagree with the author's standpoint. This
article has been featured so we consider all points of view.

What should be the role of Muslims in
the U.S. presidential campaign in the year 2000? Have Muslims attained
enough voting power to make a difference in the election of the President,
Congressmen and Senators in the year 2000? Dr. Agha Saeed, President of
American Muslim Alliance (AMA) made it abundantly clear in his speech,
at the closing session of Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) on Sunday,
September 3, in Chicago that, yes, Muslims have the power to make a difference.
His very logical presentation backed by numbers, brought the audience to
their feet and the hall was filled with the call of "Allahu Akbar". The
audience at the Rosemont Convention Center became ecstatic with the possibility
of Muslims playing a significant role in this year's presidential, senate
and congressional elections.

The logic and
statistics are very simple. Recent statistics show that less than fifty
percent of the eligible voters in the U.S. will cast their ballot in November.
The Muslim population in the U.S. has reached slightly over 2%. This means
that if 100% of the American eligible voters cast their ballots and all
eligible Muslim voters cast their ballots, they have a share of 2%.
In reality only 49% of American voters cast their ballots and if 100% of
the Muslims cast their ballot, their share will be 4% and many elections
are decided by only a fraction of 1%. In many states, such as Illinois,
the Muslim population is reaching 5%, therefore, they can have the weight
of 10% of the ballots, a very decisive voting power. The only catch is
that all eligible Muslim voters must register themselves and go to the
polls on November 7 and cast their vote as a block. The Jewish political
power in this country is derived from their use of the ballot box and voting
as a block, thereby playing a crucial role in the politics in this country,
influencing, economy and foreign policy. The Jewish population of the U.S.
is 1.8% but by voting 95% as a block they attain the impact of 3.5%, a
deciding vote making or breaking politicians who kowtow the Jews. Block
voting and 100% balloting is the key to success. The time has come for
Muslims to become politically active and play their role for change in
favor of even-handed one-standard, fairness, justice and equity and bring
an end to double standards, injustice and oppression by American hands.
It is time that Muslims stop complaining and begin doing something positive
for themselves and for the world through the hands of the only Super Power
of the world.

All politically
oriented organizations of Muslims, such as AMC, AMA, CAIR and others, have
formed a coalition which has taken the task of surveying the opinion of
the Muslims and make an informed decision in favor of select candidates.
They are responsible to explain their decision and educate the Muslim masses
to vote as a block. It is the responsibility of the Muslims to follow their
educated decision and vote as a block. Anything short of voting as a block
will not be fruitful for the Muslims. Let us begin to work together at
least in the area of politics and elections and reap the benefits of working
in unison.

This author
is well aware of negative thoughts being promoted by certain "Muslim" groups
and campaigns who oppose Muslim participation in politics. Anti-political
participation thoughts of certain "Muslim" groups make anti-Islam forces
very happy because they see Muslim participation as a threat to their interests.
Some anti-Islam forces are Zionism, Hindu fanaticism, fundamentalist Christians
and anti-Islam secularism worldwide. If Muslims want to bring an end to
Zionist and Hindu dominance in the U.S. they must become politically active
and cast their ballots, now. Anti-political participation ideologies have
no basis in the Qur'an and the Sunnah but are based on misunderstanding
and mis-interpretations; their interpretation is like saying that everything
orange in color and round is the fruit orange. Prophet Muhammad (S) entered
into pacts with Jews and Pagan Arab tribes when it served the peace and
justice of the society. He even sought the protection of a pagan tribal
chief upon his return from Taif to Makkah. There is plenty of evidence
to show that the Prophet himself used the political system of his time
for the benefit of his government, people and to bring peace to the Arabian
peninsula. It is the Sunnah of the Prophet to use the political system
of the country for the benefit of the Ummah and bring peace, equity and
justice to the world. It would be against the Sunnah of the Prophet to
isolate ourselves and let the forces of oppression run loose and work against
Islam and the Muslims worldwide. Those who would not use the power Allah
has given them for the benefit of Islam and the Muslims, would be accountable
to Allah on the Day of Judgement. Those who oppose Muslim political participation
are naively fulfilling the wishes and the dreams of anti-Islam forces and
it is against the Sunnah of the Prophet.

In the year
2000, Muslims have the choice of the lesser of two evils not the choice
of the better of two good ones. The Zionists have this choice. Even this
choice is better than no choice and Muslims must avail it. In the long
run, say by the election of 2016, Muslims may be able to choose the better
of two good ones provided they reach out to the American people to remove
their ignorance thereby removing their prejudice, hate and fear of Islam
and Muslims. Potentially, Muslims can remove ignorance about Islam and
Muslims from North America in ten years.